Locomotive firebox equipment



July 3, 1945.

c. A. SiE GEL LOQOMOTIVE FIREBOX EQUIPMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.

July 3, 1945- c. A. SIEGEL LOCOMOTIVE FIREBOX EQUIPMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 20, 1941 magi i B AfT RNEYs Patented July 3, 1945 oooMo'rivE FIREBOX EQUIPMENT- vChester Siegel, Newark, N. J assignor"to American'Arch Company, New'York, N; "Y a corporation of Delaware 7 Application December 20, 1941, Serial No. 423,845 I 10 Claims. (01. 122 ss) -This invention relates to, locomotive firebox circulation equipment, the invention being particularly applicable in afirebox having water walls at the throat, sides and rear, and a water space above the crown. Many features of the invention :are alsorelalted to support of a fire 'lorick arch.

One of the'principal objects of the invention is the provision of watercirculation means having a multiplicity of inletand' outlet connections adapted to effect circulation of water from a pinrality of the generally upright'water wells surrounding th box to the boiler space above the crown sheet. I In accordance with'another feature of the in-. vention the total circulation flow is divided between several'circulator deviceseach "of which preferably has two or more outlet connections, all of the outlet connections being. extended to the crown sheet and distributed'over a substantial area thereof, whereby to afford effective however the crown sheet without-the necessity 'of' cutting large openings in the crown-sheet; such-as the elongated apertures required vby certain prior types of circulators. In this way weakening of the crown sheet is avoided, while yetproviding widely distributed outlet flow to the crown sheet.

'The invention. also contemplates employment of' circulator devices whichsuppo-nt arches. gen-. erally longitudinally of the firebox, and which have. forward and rearward; inletlegs rising to a point of junction, from which junction outlet means common to the two inletlegs rises generally vertically directly to the crown sheet. This general configuration of ciriculator device has several important advantages),- one of which is the provision. of simple and effective arch brick sup: port, another of which is bracing of the crown sheet, 'andaa third of which is improvement of water circulation as ,aresultrof the-two-iol'd inlet providing for intakeof water'flOm Widely separatedpointsin the upright water walls surrounding the firebox. w

ment-of a junctio-n-unit which isadapt-ableto .circulators of different types, located, in different positions in'the firebox. More specifically this junction unit comprises, in the preferred form, an

adapter element having a pair of outlet legs and a pair of inlet legs all interconnected in a common junction,- the'outlet legs being extended generally parallel to each other and being of length such as to extend to the crown sheet from any of a plurality of positions-in which a cir- 'portion of-any one of severaldifierent circulator Another point of advantage of the invention is the provision of circulator devices having up wardly. and ,rearwardly inclined inlet legs in spaced side-by-side relation to support a fire brick arch, together with additional circulator devicesconstructed for installation above said arch and providing multiple outlets in the crown sheet in the region above the arch.-

A further object of the invention maybe generally defined as simplification of m.anufacture and installation of the circulator devices. In achieving this end, the inventioncontemplates employinstallations. Y

The foregoing andctherobjects and advantages will appear more fully from thei following description referringtothe accompanyingdrawings, in. which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through a locomotive firebox equipped with circulator de'vicesin accordance with thepres ent invention. r I

v Figure 2 is a plan view of the circulators and fire arch of the form of Figure 1, the side sheets or the firebox being shown in horizontal section approximately as indicated by ,the line 2-2 on Figureh 1 Mg Figures 3 and 4 are views corresponding to Figures land. 2 .butillustrating a modified ar rangement, theside sheets in Figure .4 being shownin horizontal section-as indicated by: the line 4-4 on Figure 3;

Figure 5 is-a longitudinal vertical sectional view through a locomotivefirebox; equipped with another arrangement of circulator. devicesinaccordance with the invention; t

Figure 6 is atransverse sectional view taken substantially as indicated bythe line.6-6 on indicated by the line 88 on Figure 7.

Throughout all of the views the same reference characters. are used to. designate various of th walls, defining the firebox, as follows:

I'he side sheets are indicated at 99, and the crown sheet at 10, these sheets 9 and I cooperating with a wrapper sheet I I to form water walls at the sides of the firebox and a water and steam space above th crown sheet.

At the backhead, inside and outside sheets 12 and i 3 cooperate to form a water wall in communication with the side water walls and with the space above the crown sheet, the 'backhead being provided with a fire door l4.

At the throat, inside and outside sheets 5 and I6 serve to define a water space also in communication with other water wells surrounding the firebox.

The flue sheet I l is disposed toward the forward end of the firebox or a secondary combustion chamber extended forwardly from the firebox proper. Flue tubes l8 communicate with the firebox and extend forwardly through the boiler barrel.

A mud ring 19 serves to close the lower edges of the water walls at all sides of the firebox.

In the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2, five circulators are employed, two of which, constituting a pair, are indicated generally at 20-2i. Two more of the circulators are arranged as another pair, being indicated generally at 22--23. The fifth circulator is designated 24.

Circulators 2B and 2| are similar, each comprising a pair of inlet legs 2526, the former extending forwardly and downwardly for connection with the boiler space at the throat sheet l5, and the latter extending downwardly and laterally for connection with side sheets at opposite sides of the firebox.

Inlet legs 25 and 26 are connected with the junction unit 21 having a pair of inlet connections 28-25 (for cooperation with inlet legs 25 and 26), and further having a'pair of outlet connections 30-3! adapted to be directly connected with the boiler space through the crown sheet 10. As clearly appears in Figure l,the junction unit 21 provides a common junction between the two inlet legs and the two outlet legs of the circulator considered as a whole. It will also be noted that inlet connections 28--29' extend generally in opposite directions from the point of junction, while outlet connections'or legs 30 and 31 extend from the junction in generally parallel relation, all of the connections lying substantially in a common plane.

The junction unit just described is constructed in the manner indicated in order that this same unit may alternatively be employed for a circulator of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2,0r

for circulators of other types described hereinafter. By making this circulator' unit adaptable to various circulator arrangements, maximum convenience and economy are afforded in applying the circulator installations to locomotives of different types. a

The junction unit may be fabricated in various ways, as by bending flat sheet blanks to form half-pieces, and then welding a pair of such pieces together at edges abutting each other in the mean plane of the unit considered as a whole. The inlet connections of the unit may then be welded to appropriate leg tubing, for instance seamless'tubing, thereby providing a simple and durable circulator construction.

In the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2, the water circulation system furtherincludes the ad'- ditional pair of circulators (22 23) rhereinbefore mentioned, the elements of this pair being similar to each other. Although each Of these circulators may, if desired, be constructed as a single integral unit, in the preferred arrangement, each comprises a primary body section 32 having an inlet connection 33 and a plurality of outlet connections 34'and 35, all of which connections are adapted to cooperate with tubular inlet and outlet legs 36, 31 and 38. The inlet leg 35 extends downwardly and laterally to one of the side sheets 9, as clearly appears in Figure 2; and outlet legs 31 and 38 ,all project upwardly for communication with the boiler space above the crown sheet l0.

With respect tocirculators 22 and 23, it is to be noted that each provides for circulation from a side sheet to the crown sheet, the delivery to the crown sheet being divided among a plurality of outlet legs which are spaced from on another over a substantial length of the crown sheet. In this way provision is made for wide distribution of circulation to the crown sheet without necessitating formation of a large elongated slot in the crown sheet, such as has been required with certain prior types of circulators. The somewhat flattened body portion 32 of each of these circulators also is of advantage for high heat absorption. The relatively large volume of water in the body portion 32 serves as a reservoir from which the outlet legs draw. Since the body portion 32 serves as a common junction for allof the inlet and outlet legs of each circulator (22 or 23) uniformity of distribution as between the outlet legs is provided.

As shown in Figure 2, arch bricks 39 are supported between the inlet legs 25 of circulators 20 and 2| and also between said inlet legs and the side sheets. Because of the location of the junction units 27 well rearwardly in the firebox, the long inlet legs 25 extending in parallelism forwardly to the throat sheet are ideally suited to the support of an unbroken fire brick arch, which arch, moreover, requires few, if any, different brick shapes. f 1

It is further pointed out that an unusually simple arch brick installation is provided, notwithstanding the fact that a multiplicity of circu lators is employed in the firebox, having extensive heat absorption surfaces. The extensive surface area of the circulators 22 and 23 is particularly advantageous in utilizing the heat of the flame and gas stream in the region of the firebox above the arch.

If desired, further utilization of the heat of the flame and gas stream may be effected by the circulator 24 which is'disposed in the forward extension of the combustion chamber, as clearly appears in Figure 1. This circulator 24, generally in the form of an inverted Y, comprises a trans versely extending and upwardly arched inlet portion 40, opposite ends of which are connected with the water space of the boiler at opposite sides of the combustion chamber, together with an outlet leg 4| connected with the inlet portion in the central region thereof and extended upwardly for delivery of water to the space above the crown sheet i0.

' Use of a circular such as that just described cooperates with the other circulator devices in providing wide distribution in the delivery 0 water to the crown sheet.

The circulation systemconsidered as a whole is highly effective in providing active circulation from many different points at the sides of the firebox, to the space above the crown sheet.

In the modification of Figures 3 and 4 a pair of circulator devices 20a and Ma are employed, these being essentially similar in arrangement and constru'ction to the devices 20 and 2| describedabve in connection with"Figu res land 2. In Fi'gure" 4', moreover, a' circulator 42 is also employedJf-this unit being similar to circulators 22 and"23-"of'the first form, Hereyho'we'ver, this circulatoris dis-' spe ea ove the crown sheet. The flatbody'part 32a'of circulator 42 would ordinarily be staybolted'for strength. I

As seen inFigu Te. 4, circulator 42 is provided with ledges or-bulges 44 extending along the lower edge "of'th'e;body" 32a in;parallelism'with inlet legs 25 of the 'circulators 20aand 21a inorder to cooperate therewithin providing for support'oi arcl'i brick 45 (see'Figure 3); It will be understood tha't additional arch brick will be carried be'-- tweenthe inlet legs-25 and the side sheets; as

again-made. for efiective delivery and distribution :of water to the crown sheetand for=circulation' of water from various of the sidesheets at widely separated points, to the crown sheet. a

Theadvantagesfiust mentioned with regardto circulation are also achieved by the arrangement of- Figures 7-and 8 in which there is again employed a pair of circulators c2lc. Here also the arch bricks 39 are supported on the elongated in1et1egsf25 of these circulators. I q};-

Inthe' form of Figures '7 and'8, howeverQthe additional circulation to the crown sheet in'th'e region above the arch is provided by a circula tor 5| having transverselyextendedinlet legs '52 -52 cohnected with the side sheets and further having a, body portion -53 with a plurality of joutlets 54' connected with the crown sheet. The body portion 53 provides a common junction betweenall of the inlet and outlet legs, andthis body portion preferably has sufficientvolume to serve as a reservoir from which the'outlet "legs maydraw, so as to enhance uniformity of-delivin Fig'uresl-and 2, so 'as tocomplete the fire'ar'oh,

The firebox of Figures 3 and 4 is considerably shorter t n that "illustrated in' Figures land 2.

and theseveral-outlet connections 31a of circuiator 42*are*uniformly spaced lengthwise of the crown" sheet-substantially throughout the length thereof, thereby providing effective delivery and distribution of water over substantially the entire area of'thecrown'sheet. Outlet connections 3i] and"3l of circulators Zliaahd 21a further enhance the delivery and distribution of water to the crown sheet.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the two principal types of circulators already discussed are adaptable to fireboxes of various sizes and shapes.

is illustrated, this installation again including a pair of circulators 20b and 2 lb, essentially similar to circulators 20 and 2! described above.

However, instead of providing for wide distribution of flowto the crown sheet in the manner instead of in a longitudinal vertical plane, the

outlet legs 3|] and 3| being connected with the Note also that circulators 20a and Zia' each includes the junction unit 21., In Figures 5 and 6 still another arrangement crown sheet, and the inlet connections 28 and 29 being coupled through legs -50 with the side stood that a fire brick arch is adapted to be supported between the inlet legs 25 of circulators 20b and Zlb and between said'inlet legs and the side sheets, as in Figures land 2.

Figures 5 and 6 further illustrate the adaptability of applicants junction unit 21 to meet the requirements of different circulator and firebox installations. As in Figures 1 to 4, provision is ery'of'water to the crown sheet over a substantial-area thereof. Although the inlet .legs'52 of circulator 5| are extended transverselyfor connection with the side sheets, the outlet legs, as clearly appears in Figure 7, are spaced from each other lengthwise of the crown sheet. Out:

let connections 54 cooperate with outletconneetions 30-3l of circulators 20c and 2Ic in pro viding for circulation to the crown sheet at a multiplicity of spaced points. Y

It will be observed that all of the modifica tion'shave 'a number of advantages in'comrnon; including that mentioned just above'(efi'ective' and wide distribution of the circulation over the crown sheet), and also circulation of water from many different points at the upright walls of the firebox to the crown sheet. All of the arrangements are further of advantage in providingfan unusually'simple and effective arch brick support, notwithsatnding the employment of a multiplicity of circulator devices having extensive total surface area exposed for heat absorption from the flame and gas stream.

From the drawings and description it is apparent that applicants principal types of circulators are highly adaptable to meet the conditions of different fireboxes. Moreover, it will now be seen that applicant has made provision for utilization of a single junction element in a variety of types of circulators meeting the re-' quirements of different installations.

I claim:

1. In a locomotive firebox having a throat sheet, a crown sheet and upright sheets at the sides and backhead, a plurality of generally longitudinally extending water circulator devices each interconnecting the throat sheet, the crown sheet and one of said upright sheets, the legs of said devices which are connected with the throat sheet being extended upwardly and rearwa'rdly therefrom in spaced parallel relation,

arch brick supported on said legs to form a fire arch lyingv i plane inclined upwardly and rearwardly from the throat sheet, and another separate circulator device in the firebox above the fire arch interconnecting an upright side sheet and the crown sheet. v 2. A construction in accordance with claim 1 in which a plurality of said separate circulator devices above the fire arch are provided,one interconnecting one upright side sheet and the crown sheet and the other interconnecting the other upright side sheet and the crown sheet.

3. A construction in accordance with claim 1- in which a. plurality of said separate circulator devices above the fire arch are provided, one-interconnecting one upright side sheet and the crown sheet and the other interconnecting "the other upright side sheet and the crown sheet, and each having a plurality of outlets in the crown sheet. v i '4'; A'construction in accordance with claim 1 in which said separate circulator device has an inlet leg connected to each of the opposite side sheets and an outlet connected with the crown Sheet; a

5; A locomotive firebox having a throat sheet, a crown sheet, and upright sheets at the side and back head, a circulator device having an inlet leg connected with the throat sheetand extending upwardly and rearwardly, a second inlet leg connected with one of said upright sheets at the rear end of the firebox and extending upwardly' and forwardly, and 9, common junction member, said inlet legs vbeing connected to opposite sidesof said member at the lowest part thereof and the upper part of said member being connected to the crown sheet.

t6; A'construction in accordance with claim 5 in which said second inlet leg is connected with a side sheet. i y 7; A construction in accordance with claim 5 in vwhich the junction member has a plurality of connections with the crown sheet 8. A construction in accordance with claim 5 in which the junction member has a plurality of connections with the crown sheet, said connections-being spaced longitudinally of the firebox.

AMA-locomotive firebox having a throat sheet, a crown'sheehand upright sheets at the side and back head, a plurality of circulator deviceseach having-an inlet leg connected with the throat sheet and extending upwardly and rearwardly, and a second inlet leg connected with onelof said upright sheets at the rear end of the firebox and extending upwardly and forwardly, and a common ju ction member for each circulator-de-v vice,the inlet legs of each circulator being connected to opposite sides of said member at the lowest part thereof and the upper part of said member being connected to the crown sheet, the said first mentioned inlet legs bein Substantially parallel but spaced from each other and arch ibrick supported on these inlet legs to define a fire arch lying substantially ina plane inclined upwardly and rearwardly from the throat sheet. 10. For a locomotive firebox having a threat sheet, a crown sheet, and upright sheets at the side and back head, a, plurality of circulator devices one of which has an 1 inlet leg connected with the throat sheet and extending upwardly and rearwardly, a second inlet leg connected with one of said upright sheets at the rear end of the firebox and extending upwardly and iorwardly, and a common junction membenisaid inlet legs being connected to opposite sides of said member at the lowest part thereof and theupper ,part of said member being connected to the crown sheet and another of said circulator devices havingan inlet leg connected with the boiler space at the forward end of the'firebox anda plurality of outlet legs connected with thecrown sheet.

CHESTER A. SIEGEL. 

